Process for cleaning a transport belt for manufacturing a paper web

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to a continuous cleaning method for cleaning a moving fabric in a paper machine. The method uses one or more cleaning stages. In one embodiment, one cleaning stage applies steam to heat and soften contaminants on the fabric followed by the application of water, preferably superheated water, to remove the contaminants. Another cleaning stage may apply hot water, steam and/or superheated water via an encapsulated shower and evacuation chamber making it possible to clean the width of the fabric without substantial rewet.

This is a divisional of U.S. Application No. 13/799,721, filed Mar. 13,2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/622,622, filed Apr. 11, 2012, each of which is incorporated herein byreference.

This disclosure relates to cleaning equipment and methods for cleaning amoving fabric used in the manufacture of paper webs. This disclosurefurther relates to cleaning equipment and methods for continuouscleaning of a moving fabric in a paper machine. Still further, thisdisclosure relates to cleaning equipment and a method for continuouscleaning of a moving fabric in a paper machine which minimizes rewet.

More particularly, this disclosure relates to a cleaning systemincluding both an initial cleaning shower and a second cleaning shower.The disclosed dual cleaning arrangement results in a continuous cleaningsystem that does not suffer from areas of residue contamination that canresult in poor fabric performance. The disclosure relates to an improvedinitial cleaning shower that provides enhanced contaminant removal andexceptional residual water uptake. Further, the disclosure relates to animproved second cleaning shower that also provides enhanced contaminantremoval and further prevents residual water uptake by the fabric.

Still more particularly, this disclosure relates to the application ofsteam to a moving fabric in a paper making machine to thereby heat andsoften contaminants in the fabric making them easier to remove bysubsequent water showers. This disclosure further relates to theapplication of steam to a moving fabric to heat and soften contaminantsfollowed by the application of superheated, i.e., pressurized water toremove the contaminants. In one embodiment, the steam and superheatedwater are applied in the initial cleaning shower. In another embodiment,the steam and superheated water are applied in both the initial cleaningshower and in the second cleaning shower.

This disclosure also relates to a cleaning method that can use onlywater without the need for additional chemical additives to achieveappropriate fabric cleaning. Finally, this disclosure relates to amethod for cleaning a moving fabric used in the manufacture of paperwebs that enhances the removal of cleaning media from the fabric tominimize web rewet.

Cleaning systems for papermaking fabrics are known in the art. Mostsuffer from issues of insufficient cleaning or an inability to runduring paper machine operation due to issues with damage to or rewet ofthe fibrous structure that is being produced. Prior art configurationsvary, but they generally use a pressurized cleaning solution that isapplied to the fabric via a nozzle. Known systems include, for example,shower bars, rotating nozzles and angled nozzles all in an attempt toimprove fabric cleaning. Prior art systems have struggled to find acleaning method which adequately cleans the fabric without undue wearand tear or damage to the fabric. Contamination, water holes and fabricwear have also impeded the development of continuous cleaning methods.The cleaning method and equipment as described herein provide a numberof advantages over the known cleaning systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side view of a cleaning system of the present invention,mounted on a papermaking machine for cleaning a moving fabric.

FIG. 2A is a front cut-away view of a standard initial traversingcleaning shower for use with the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a front perspective view of a standard initial traversingcleaning shower for use with the present invention.

FIG. 2C is a side cut-away view of a standard traversing cleaning showerfor use with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an encapsulated second cleaning shower thateliminates mist.

DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes a method and equipment for cleaning apapermaking fabric. Wires, felts and belts used on papermaking machinesare subjected to conditions that cause an accumulation of contaminants,including fibers, clay and foreign matter, to build up on them. Theaccumulation of contaminants can be exacerbated when recycle or otherlow grade fibers are introduced. These accumulations, if not removed,can create significant operational issues, from mild inefficiencies torequiring that the machine be shut down until the accumulation can beremoved.

The present disclosure describes cleaning equipment and methods forcleaning a moving fabric that achieve significant improvements overprior cleaning systems when used to clean a moving fabric in apapermaking machine. These improvements may include, but are not limitedto, improved contaminant removal; reduced loss due to machine down timesince the papermaking machine need not cease operation to apply thiscleaning method; improved water removal resulting in minimal rewet ofthe paper structure that may be on the fabric; and reduced cost since itrequires no cleaning solutions. Further, because the process of thepresent invention doesn't require cleaning agents, it can be free ofvolatile organic compounds (“VOCs”). As used herein, “fabric” refers toany circulating web or belt used in a papermaking machine to convey apaper web. Examples of these fabrics are forming wires, press belts,transfer fabrics, and dryer fabric(s). According to one embodiment, thecleaning as disclosed may be carried out on transfer fabric(s) carryinga nascent web to the drying section of the paper machine. According toanother embodiment, the cleaning method as disclosed may be used toclean drying fabrics in the drying section of the paper machine.

The continuous cleaning method according to the present inventionincludes two cleaning stages and assemblies. As used herein “continuous”cleaning method refers to a cleaning process that can be carried out onthe fabric while the machine is producing a product and without ceasingthat product production. As used herein “initial cleaning shower” refersto the first cleaning assembly that the fabric encounters and “initialcleaning stage” refers to the period of contact between the fabric andthe initial cleaning shower. The term “second cleaning shower” refers tothe second cleaning assembly that the fabric encounters and the term“second cleaning stage” refers to the period of contact between thefabric and the second cleaning shower. As will be readily apparent tothe skilled artisan, additional cleaning assemblies may be includedbefore or after the second cleaning shower if they are considerednecessary to achieve the desired cleaning result.

According to one embodiment, the initial cleaning shower reduces theoverall contaminant load on the fabric making it possible for the secondcleaning shower to continuously clean the fabric to a level that doesnot require costly shut downs of the machine. The operation of eachcleaning shower has been modified over that which was known in the priorart. These changes provide substantial improvements in each of thecleaning stages and together create a very effective continuous cleaningsystem.

The initial cleaning shower may have any art recognized configuration.It may include a shower or nozzle or series of showers or nozzles thatare stationary or that reticulate or traverse the cross-machinedirection width of the papermaking fabric. In one embodiment, theinitial cleaning shower may be a series of nozzles or a shower bar thatallows application of cleaning media to the entire width of thepapermaking fabric simultaneously. According to another embodiment, theinitial cleaning shower is a traversing shower that reticulates back andforth across the papermaking fabric. The nozzles may move, e.g., rotate,or be stationary. The specific configuration of the shower or nozzlescan vary, including for example, in size, shape, type, or geometrywithout impacting the effectiveness of the disclosed method.

Optimal settings including nozzle type, cleaning media, cleaning mediapressure and temperature, and distance between the cleaning assembly andthe fabric to be cleaned are routinely selected based upon the nature ofthe fabric to be cleaned and the number and size of the nozzles.Correlations are generally provided by the manufacturer of such nozzlesand shower systems. According to one embodiment, when superheatedpressurized water is the selected cleaning media, the distance betweenthe fabric and the nozzle should be reduced as the jet of pressurizedwater will break earlier than a regular water jet.

As used herein cleaning media includes but is not limited to water,steam, superheated water, cleaning solutions, and non-water basedsolvents with low vapor pressures. An example of a non-water basedsolvent with low vapor pressure would be Novec™ Fire Protection Fluidmanufactured by 3M.

The initial cleaning shower and method of using the initial cleaningshower include the application of steam to a moving fabric in a papermaking machine to thereby heat and soften contaminants on and in thefabric, making them easier to remove by subsequent water showers.Contaminants that are typically found on paper making fabrics includefibers, pitch, particles, dirt, and adhesives. As discussed above,additional cleaning stages may be included, as desired. The presentdisclosure contemplates the application of steam followed by superheatedwater in a single stage or in multiple stages spaced along the fabric inthe machine direction.

According to one embodiment, the steam is applied in a superheatedstate. As used herein “superheated steam” refers to steam, not incontact with its own liquid, heated to beyond its saturation point at agiven pressure. Steam is applied at a temperature of from about 105° C.to about 150° C., such as from about 110° C. to about 135° C.

Following the application of steam which heats and softens contaminantsis at least one application of superheated water to remove the softenedcontaminants. At least one nozzle in the initial cleaning shower directswater, preferably at a temperature of greater than 100° C., to thesurface of the fabric. As discussed above for the application of steam,the specific configuration of the shower or nozzles can vary. While thepresent invention is discussed in terms of the application ofsuperheated water, the temperature of the water following the steamapplication can be from room temperature upward. The hotter the waterthe better the cleaning will be. Therefore, while hot water can be used,water close to or above 100° C. is preferred.

According to one embodiment, the superheated water may be at atemperature between 100° C. and 135° C., such as between 105° C. and120° C. As used herein “superheated water” refers to water that has beenheated to above its boiling point without vaporization. The superheated,and thus pressurized, water can be at a pressure of from 20 bar to 55bar, such as from 25 bar to 35 bar.

As with steam, the superheated water may be applied to the paper makingfabric through a nozzle or series of nozzles that are stationary or thatreticulate or traverse the width of the papermaking fabric. According toone embodiment of the present disclosure, the steam applicator andsuperheated water applicator are contained in the same traversingshower. As with the steam, the water may be a single application or mayinclude introduction in more than one location along the machinedirection of the fabric.

Not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the release ofthe pressurized water and its subsequent conversion to steam providesbetter penetration of the water into the fabric and provides improvedlifting and removal of contaminants that have already been heat softenedby the earlier steam application. Further, it is believed that theadditional heat in the fabric assists in more effectively removing waterafter cleaning.

The steam and superheated water may be produced using any art recognizedmethod. According to one embodiment, water is contacted with anelectrical heating element to produce either steam or superheated water.According to another embodiment, the steam and/or superheated water areheated by contact with a heat exchanger. According to still a furtherembodiment, steam is removed from another point in the papermakingprocess and used in the disclosed cleaning process.

The described cleaning method, according to one embodiment, includes adebris collection source for removing excess steam, condensed water, andthe effluent carrying the contaminants from the fabric. Such a debriscollection source can include any suction device, for example, a vacuumbox, an air knife or an air shower. A typical debris collection sourceincludes at least one vacuum source. Appropriate placement of the debriscollection source(s) will be readily apparent to the skilled artisanbased upon the arrangement and location of the steam and waterapplicators. In one embodiment, a vacuum source is a single source thatruns the width of the papermaking fabric. According to anotherembodiment, a vacuum source is associated with, or is integral with, atraversing cleaning shower. According to a still further embodiment, thedebris collection source includes both a vacuum source and an air knife.

According to one embodiment, the debris collection source is integralwith the steam and water application sources to minimize the amount ofwater or steam that cascades to other parts of the papermaking machine.According to one embodiment, the debris collection source is at leastone vacuum source that is proximal to, and in the same housing with, thesteam and water application sources.

While the majority of contaminants accumulate on the sheet side of thefabric, the cleaning method as described can be applied to one or bothsides of the fabric to be cleaned. According to one embodiment, thecleaning is carried out on the sheet side of the fabric. According toanother embodiment, the cleaning is carried out on the non-sheet side ofthe fabric. According to yet another embodiment, the cleaning method iscarried out on both sides of the fabric to be cleaned. According to thisembodiment, both steam and superheated water may be applied to bothsides of the fabric. According to this embodiment, steam may be appliedto the sheet side of the fabric and superheated water may be applied tothe non-sheet side of the fabric.

The continuous cleaning method as described includes a second cleaningshower. The second cleaning shower may have any art recognizedconfiguration. It may include a shower or nozzle or series of showers ornozzles that are stationary or that reticulate or traverse thecross-machine direction width of the papermaking fabric. In oneembodiment, the second cleaning shower may be a series of nozzles or ashower bar that allows application of cleaning media to the entire widthof the papermaking fabric simultaneously. The nozzles may move, e.g.,rotate, or be stationary. The specific configuration of the shower ornozzles can vary, including for example, in size, shape, type, orgeometry without impacting the effectiveness of the disclosed method.

According to one embodiment, the second cleaning shower is anencapsulated shower that spans the width of the fabric to be cleaned. Asused herein, “encapsulated” refers to any shower arrangement thatapplies cleaning media and is configured in a manner that causes theapplied cleaning media to be withdrawn without significant deposition onthe papermaking machine. Such encapsulation systems generally includeboth sheet side and non-sheet side application/collection assemblies.According to one embodiment, the sheet side includes an applicationshower that extends the width of the papermaking fabric and thenon-sheet side includes an elimination assembly. According to anotherembodiment, the sheet side includes both application showers andelimination assemblies and the non-sheet side, likewise, includes bothapplication showers and elimination assemblies.

The elimination assembly for the second cleaning shower removes water,excess steam, and the effluent carrying the contaminants from thefabric. Such an elimination source can include any suction device, forexample, a vacuum box, air knife or an air shower. A typical eliminationassembly includes one or more vacuum sources. Appropriate placement ofthe elimination assembly will be readily apparent to the skilled artisanbased upon the arrangement and location of the application nozzles inthe associated application shower. In one embodiment, the vacuum sourceis a single source that runs the width of the papermaking fabric.According to another embodiment, the vacuum source includes a pluralityof sources associated with each application nozzle or group of nozzles.

According to one embodiment, the second cleaning shower includes theapplication of one or more of steam and superheated water as describedabove. Further, the steam and superheated water can be produced by themethods and applied at the temperatures and pressures described.According to another embodiment, the second cleaning shower includes oneor more heated water application(s). The cleaning water may be from roomtemperature upward, however, the hotter the water the better thecleaning will be. Therefore, while hot water can be used, water close toor above 100° C. is preferred. The water in the second cleaning showercan be applied at a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 100° C.,such as from 80° C. to about 100° C.

According to one embodiment, the second cleaning shower applies cleaningmedia to the sheet side of the fabric. According to another embodiment,the second cleaning shower applies cleaning media to the non-sheet sideof the fabric. According to yet another embodiment, the cleaning methodis carried out on both sides of the fabric to be cleaned. According tothis embodiment, both steam and superheated water may be applied to bothsides of the fabric. According to this embodiment, steam may applied tothe sheet side of the fabric and superheated water may be applied to thenon-sheet side of the fabric.

The elimination source for the encapsulated shower may also includemeans for confining and eliminating the mist that may be generated bythe application of cleaning media. According to one embodiment, such amist eliminator includes a cover portion that runs the length of thepapermaking fabric. According to another embodiment of the disclosure,the mist eliminator housing is in close proximity to the papermakingfabric, thereby capturing what is thrown off during the application ofthe cleaning media, including but not limited to, mist, water droplets,steam, and effluent. The gap between the mist eliminator and the movingpapermaking fabric is from about 0.25 cm to about 2.54 cm, such as about0.60 cm to about 1.30 cm.

According to one embodiment, either or both of the mist eliminationassemblies that make up the encapsulated shower may be mounted onpivoting brackets to allow them to be moved away from the papermakingfabric should either assembly require cleaning and/or repair. The unitsare fitted with handles allowing them to swing in a counterclockwisemanner away from the papermaking fabrics.

This cleaning method as disclosed may be used to clean a moving fabricon a papermaking machine that has ceased producing product, however, thecontinuous cleaning method as described has the advantage that it may becarried out on a moving fabric during a production run. When cleaningmust be carried out on a machine that has ceased production, the downtime associated with cleaning is from 30 minutes to 1 hour. In theaverage production of tissue, the production must be stopped and thefabrics cleaning on the order of once every 8 hours. Thus, the presentlydisclosed cleaning method can result in 6 to 12% improved productionover prior art cleaning methods.

Surprisingly, the cleaning method as described allows cleaning of thefabric without substantial rewet of the nascent paper web. The amount ofwater remaining in the fabric after the second cleaning shower is lessthan about 0.5 g/m², such as less than about 0.4 g/m², such as less than0.3 g/m².

Further, the mounting of the encapsulated showers on pivoting brackets,which when driven by a rotation mechanism, e.g., a rotator and gearbox,allows the showers to be rotated away from the paper making fabric,while the machine is still in production. This “on-the-run” rotationalcapability allows the cleaning unit to be quickly repaired, cleaned orunclogged without any machine down time and with little build-up ofcontaminants on the papermaking fabric.

The system of the present invention may also include one or moreadditional application stations depending upon the fabric to be cleanedand the configuration of the cleaning system used. These additionalapplication stations may include for example, an air knife or a fabrictreatment applicator. In one embodiment, the one or more applicationstations includes at least one air knife which may be positioned beforeone or more of the showers to remove loose contaminants, or positionedafter one or more of the showers to remove residual water from thefabric after cleaning. Additionally, an application station may be usedfor applying a cleaning solution or other chemical agent to assist inthe cleaning of the contaminants, e.g., applying a chemical cleaningsolution to pre-treat the fabric. The placement of these additionalapplication stations before, integral with, or after the cleaningshowers will be readily discernible based upon the desired function andanticipated outcome.

According to one embodiment, the cleaning method of the presentinvention includes at least one cleaning or conditioning agent addedduring the either the initial cleaning stage or the second cleaningstage via the steam application, during the water application or via aseparate applicator before, during or after the steam and waterapplication. According to one embodiment, the at least one conditioningagent is added to the fabric in superheated water.

According to another embodiment, release agents are added to conditionthe fabric. Release agents may be added in the superheated waterapplication. In one embodiment, release oil is added during theapplication of the superheated water. The addition of release oils andconditioning agents during fabric cleaning may result in extended rollcover life and easier sheet release from the clothing.

The cleaning method of the present invention reduces the wear on machinerolls. Prior art systems that were periodic in nature, e.g., every 8hours, caused the fabrics to run dry increasing friction wear. Theaverage life of a papermaking transfer roll prior to the presentinvention was about 25 days. With the cleaning system of the presentinvention, no substantial wear was noted at 35 days, see Example 3.Thus, the present invention can significantly extend the life ofpapermaking rolls by continually lubricating them so that they do notrun with increased friction loads.

The cleaning method of the present disclosure will now be described withrespect to one system embodiment. Deviations from this system andalternatives to the proposed system would be readily apparent to theskilled artisan.

A fabric cleaning apparatus attached to a paper machine 140 includingboth a traversing shower 10 and an encapsulated shower assembly 240 isillustrated in FIG. 1. As can be seen from the directional arrow, thefabric 150 travels over roll 160 and contacts vacuum box 170 whichremoves any loose debris and/or residual water from the fabric 150 priorto cleaning. The fabric 150 then travels around another roll (not seen)and contacts traversing shower 10. The traversing shower 10 reticulatesin beam assembly 80. Traversing shower 10, contact the fabric 150 firstwith steam and then with superheated water. An air knife 50 then usespressurized air to remove any residual water from the fabric 150 andprevent mist and droplets from escaping from the traversing showerassembly 10.

The fabric 150 then travels between the upper and lower boxes 260, 270of the encapsulated shower assembly 240. Heated water and/or steam isapplied to both surfaces of the moving fabric 150 and the effluent isremoved via vacuum sources 250. The fabric 150 continues on, passes airknife (not numbered), and contacts vacuum box 190 before passing overroll 200 on its return to its web pick up location.

A typical traversing shower 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1 is expanded inFIGS. 2A-2C. As seen in FIG. 2B, the shower 10 includes a nozzleassembly 20 and a collection chute 30. The traversing shower 10 contactsthe fabric to be cleaned via surface 40. When used in accordance withthe present disclosure, steam and superheated water may be introducedvia inlets 25 on nozzle assembly 20 and effluent is collected via vacuumapplied through collection chute 30. Air knife 50, causes an air jet toimpinge upon the surface of the fabric and further remove water from thefabric. The moisture removed by the air knife will either go into thesurrounding environment or will be removed by vacuum if the air knifeincludes an associated collection chute. Steam may be applied via asteam slot 60 and superheated water may be applied via water nozzles 70,as seen in FIG. 2A. The used steam and water, along with the releasedcontaminants are picked up by collection chute 30 as illustrated in FIG.2C.

The mist eliminator 210 illustrated in FIG. 3 forms part of theencapsulated shower assembly 240 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The fabric150 travels between deckle strips 220 on upper and lower boxes 260, 270(FIG. 1). Cleaning media applicators 230 apply cleaning media to thefabric while waste is removed by vacuum sources 250 (not shown) viaconduits 235.

While a continuous cleaning method has been described primarily in termsof two types of cleaning stages, a traversing shower stage and anencapsulated shower stage, the method can be practiced with one of thetwo stages or with multiple stages of a single type, e.g., just anencapsulated stage, two encapsulated stages may be used or alternativelytwo traversing stages may be used.

As used herein, “about” is meant to account for variations due toexperimental error. All measurements are understood to be modified bythe word “about”, whether or not “about” is explicitly recited, unlessspecifically stated otherwise. Thus, for example, the statement “a fiberhaving a length of 2 mm” is understood to mean “a fiber having a lengthof about 2 mm.”

The details of one or more non-limiting embodiments of the invention areset forth in the examples below. Other embodiments of the inventionshould be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art afterconsideration of the present disclosure.

EXAMPLES Example 1

A transfer fabric on an operating tissue paper machine was continuouslycleaned in accordance with the present invention by the application ofsteam and a water shower at 80° C. to the structured paper fabric in aninitial traversing cleaning shower. The transfer fabric was then passedthrough a second encapsulated shower which also applied steam and waterat 80° C. The cleaning was continued for 30 hours and provided markedimprovement in the fabric hygiene. Improvement was judged visually byobserving the amount of external contamination that remained on thefabric. Concrete indicators of the improved fabric hygiene includedachieving adequate cleaning without the need for cleaning component tobe added to the water and a 50% reduction in the release chemistry thatwas added to the fabric to prevent contaminants from sticking.

Example 2

A transfer fabric on an operating tissue paper machine was continuouslycleaned in accordance with the present disclosure by the simultaneousapplication of steam and water at 80° C. to the structured paper fabricin an initial cleaning shower. Steam was added through a full widthsteam shower, while water was applied through a traversing cleaningshower. The transfer fabric was then passed through a secondencapsulated shower which also applied steam and water at 80° C. Thecleaning was continued for 3.5 hours and provided results consistentwith those seen in Example 1.

Example 3

A transfer fabric on an operating tissue paper machine was continuouslycleaned in accordance with the present invention by the application ofsteam to the structured paper fabric in an initial traversing cleaningshower. The transfer fabric was then passed through a secondencapsulated shower which also applied water at 80° C. The cleaning wascontinued over a 6 month period and provided marked improvement in thefabric hygiene, fabric wear, roll life, and machine down time.Improvements in fabric hygiene and fabric wear were judged visually byobserving the fabric while roll life was confirmed by physicalmeasurements.

Example 4

A transfer fabric or a drying fabric on a paper machine is continuouslycleaned in accordance with the present invention by the application ofsteam and superheated water at a temperature of greater than 100° C., inan initial traversing cleaning shower. The transfer fabric is thenpassed through a second encapsulated shower which also applies steam andsuperheated water. The cleaning is carried out continuously andindefinitely.

A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will beunderstood that various modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other embodimentsare within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A papermaking apparatus comprising: a first cleaningassembly; a second cleaning assembly; a fabric to be cleaned travellingin a machine direction through the papermaking machine; wherein thefirst cleaning assembly is configured to apply a cleaning mediumcomprising steam and the second cleaning assembly is configured to applya cleaning medium comprising superheated water at a temperature ofgreater than 100° C.; wherein the second cleaning assembly is locateddownstream in the machine direction from the first cleaning assembly;and wherein the first cleaning assembly and the second cleaning assemblyallow application of the cleaning media to the entire width of thefabric to be cleaned.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least oneof the first and second cleaning assemblies comprises an encapsulatedshower.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least oneencapsulated shower comprises a shower that allows for application andwithdrawal of cleaning media to the fabric to be cleaned withoutsignificant deposition on the papermaking machine.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second cleaningassemblies comprises a traversing shower.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4,wherein the at least one traversing shower is configured to reticulateback and forth across the width of the papermaking fabric.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and secondcleaning assemblies comprises one or more nozzles.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second cleaningassemblies is mounted by a pivoting bracket and driven by a rotationmechanism thereby allowing the shower to be rotated away from thepapermaking fabric.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising atleast one debris collection source configured to remove the cleaningmedium from the papermaking fabric.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, whereinthe at least one debris collection source comprises at least one of avacuum box, an air knife, or an air shower.
 10. The apparatus of claim9, wherein the at least one debris collection source comprises an airknife, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a collection chutelocated adjacent to and associated with the air knife.
 11. The apparatusof claim 8, wherein the at least one debris collection source isproximal to at least one of the first and second cleaning assemblies.12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one debris collectionsource comprises at least two debris collection sources, and wherein theat least two debris collection sources are positioned on opposite sidesof the papermaking fabric.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the atleast one debris collection source runs the width of the papermakingfabric.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8, comprising two debris collectionsources, one associated with each of the first and second cleaningassemblies.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at leastone mist eliminator configured to eliminate mist generated by theapplication of the cleaning medium to the papermaking fabric by at leastone of the first and second cleaning assemblies.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 15, wherein the at least one mist eliminator includes a coverportion that runs the length of the papermaking fabric.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one mist eliminator islocated between 0.25 cm and 2.54 cm away from the papermaking fabric.18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one mist eliminatoris mounted on pivoting brackets, allowing it to be rotated away from thepapermaking fabric.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least oneof the first and second cleaning assemblies comprises both a firstencapsulated shower and a second encapsulated shower; wherein the firstencapsulated shower and the second encapsulated shower are configured tobe adjacent to opposite sides of the papermaking fabric and configuredto apply the cleaning medium to the papermaking fabric; and wherein atleast one of the first and second encapsulated showers is mounted by apivoting bracket and driven by a rotation mechanism thereby allowing theshower to be rotated away from the papermaking fabric.